Stay updated on everything baseball with our morning MLB News & Moments articles. We’ve got you covered to keep you in the know.
Welcome to Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial beginning of summer. School has either wrapped up or is about to end and summer vacations are about to start. That just means more time to spend at the ballpark. Take the opportunity to check out one of your local amateur teams as well as your favorite MLB franchise. You never know what you will see and Friday was just another example of that.
Today’s Headlines
Kimbrel Notches No. 400
The last few seasons haven’t been the smoothest ones of Craig Kimbrel’s career. So it almost seemed fitting that he had to sweat out the ground ball that secured his place in history. Kimbrel became the eighth player in MLB history to reach 400 career saves as he nailed down the final three outs of the Philadelphia Phillies‘ 6-4 victory over Atlanta. In a cool oddity, Kimbrel joined Boston’s Kenley Jansen in hitting the milestone not only in the same season but in the same stadium and against the team they used to pitch for. While Jansen had 41 saves for Atlanta during his age-34 season in 2022, Kimbrel began his career in the city and recorded 241 saves over five years.
His 400th save came in his 730th appearance, trailing only career saves leader Mariano Rivera (697) and No. 2 Trevor Hoffman (706). After retiring the first two batters in the ninth, Kimbrel walked Michael Harris II, then induced Ronald Acuña Jr. to hit a grounder to third baseman Josh Harrison, who bobbled the ball but recovered in time to throw him out at first to end the game.
Save No. 400 in the books pic.twitter.com/EFWNhaBGw1
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) May 27, 2023
Pirate Power
Time will tell how real the Pittsburgh Pirates are this season. But for now, at least, enjoy what they are doing. Jack Suwinski hit two of a franchise-record-tying seven home runs in a single game as the Pirates clubbed the Seattle Mariners 11-6.
Andrew McCutchen, Carlos Santana, Ke’Bryan Hayes, Tucupita Marcano, and Bryan Reynolds also went deep to match the seven-homer output by the Pirates on June 6, 1894, Aug. 16, 1947, and Aug. 20, 2003. For McCutchen, his came as part of a 2-for-5 night that pulled him within 10 hits of 2,000 for his career.
JACK SUWINSKI DOES IT AGAIN pic.twitter.com/GfM7hVWrBj
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) May 27, 2023
Brewers’ Adames Hospitalized
Willy Adames, the heart and soul of the Milwaukee Brewers, was struck in the head by a foul ball from teammate Brian Anderson during the second inning of a 15-2 loss to the San Francisco Giants. Adames was taken to a hospital, where scans revealed no fractures. He was expected to remain in the hospital overnight and will be placed on the concussion injured list, manager Craig Counsell said.
Adames was on the top step of the first-base dugout when the right-handed-hitting Anderson sliced a foul toward the dugout. “He was alert and responsive as he left and then we got pretty good news at the hospital, too,” Counsell said. “Obviously he’s in pain. But I think overall I think not bad news considering how scary it was.” It obviously affected his teammates. Anderson reportedly had tears in his eyes as he finished the fateful at-bat. Freddy Peralta had to continued to pitch and explained his feelings.
Freddy Peralta and Willy Adames have lockers next to each other and are as close as brothers. It was difficult to continue pitching, Peralta said. pic.twitter.com/Sffa9v5JtO
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) May 27, 2023
A’s Release Vegas Stadium Renderings
A tight legislative schedule in Nevada means many prongs of the Oakland A’s likely move to Las Vegas are progressing at the same time. On Friday, that meant a stadium financing bill was introduced in the state Senate on the same day renderings of the $1.5 billion retractable-roof stadium were unveiled. Public spending by Nevada and Clark County would be capped at $380 million and only needs a simple majority to be ratified by the Senate and Assembly. The bill’s introduction came with 11 days left in the legislative session and still faces political obstacles.
As for the stadium site, the A’s have a binding agreement for a 34-acre parcel of land on the Strip. However, only nine acres of that land are to be used for a stadium and the renderings would indicate more than that is being used. This is the second site the A’s have had a claim to and there have been reports of possibly a third one.
Best Moments From Yesterday
New Job For Adley?
As if you needed another reason to like the Baltimore Orioles, we submit this piece of fun. Young catcher Adley Rutschman spent some time at the MLB Store in New York and went undercover as an employee.
Undercover Adley!@Orioles star catcher @RutschmanAdley goes undercover at the MLB Store! 😂 pic.twitter.com/xptyVgQaq0
— MLB (@MLB) May 26, 2023
Of course, he wasn’t done giving back to New York. During the game, he sent a souvenir into the stands. The MLB Twitter account responded appropriately.
An @mlbstorenyc "employee" just hit a homer. 😂 pic.twitter.com/ebxaR804PI
— MLB (@MLB) May 26, 2023
Staying Loose
Speaking of fun, the Tampa Bay Rays kicked off the weekend with some new hats — and a little dancing.
Just vibing, you know how we be pic.twitter.com/dCyB2E7q4k
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) May 26, 2023
Injuries and Other Moves
Orioles left-handed starter John Means sustained a setback in his rehab from Tommy John surgery when he pulled a muscle in his upper back. The earliest Means will return is August.
Toronto Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen (left groin strain) was placed on the 10-day injured list.
The Cincinnati Reds placed outfielder-first baseman Wil Myers (kidney stones) on the 10-day IL and recalled outfielder Will Benson from Triple-A. They also activated right-hander Fernando Cruz from the 15-day IL.
Right-hander Zack Burdi was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Burdi had been designated for assignment by the Rays.
Shortstop José Iglesias has opted out of his minor-league deal with the San Diego Padres and is a free agent.
Outfielder Aaron Hicks was officially released by the New York Yankees. Hicks, still owed the remainder of his $10.5 million salary this season and $9.5 million each of the next two years, was DFA’d last weekend.
Articles You Should Read
Why are the A’s getting a free pass to Las Vegas? — Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic
Tatis finds his way back — Scott Miller, New York Times
Best high school team in the nation? Marjory Stoneman Douglas. Yes, that school. — Manny Navarro, The Athletic
Challenge system has best ABS aspects without downsides — J.J. Cooper, Baseball America
Fantasy Baseball Coverage